a few pieces of the puzzle: 20 of ‘em

Hey kids! If you’ve been wondering where I’ve been…nope, not on safari. Just INSTAGRAM. Yeah, like all-over-the-gram. Miss you guys though and miss this space.

So here’s the deal. You’ve missed a lot. Like this H-A-I-R!

I don’t know why, but I suddenly (well not so suddenly) got a blogging block and Instagram opened me up again. I’ve been sharing my life and myself over there. And I’ve found such an amazing community in the process.

I thought I’d catch the blog up a little bit and RE-POST some of the STUFF I’ve dumped over there. So bear with me if you’ve already read all this. Don’t worry, I’ll be back with lots of fresh and “original” shares soon, ha.

So without further ado. Let’s get back into the blogging groove with a few FACTS about moi.

T W E N T Y F A C T O I D S

1. American girl. Korean, German, and Irish.

2. Met my husband at a bar on a Wednesday night. You never know when or where you’re going to meet someone who will change your life forever. We ended up dancing until almost 2am. In our work clothes.

3. We married at City Hall. Just us. I was wearing jeans.

4. I cannot go to sleep (no matter how tired) without listening to a story. I’m five, I know.

5. I hate driving. I hate parking more. If I could have one luxury it would be a driver. I feel like I’d say “YES” to life more often.

6. My mother was sick a lot of my childhood so I was independent quite young. (In kindergarten I’d get myself up in the morning as well as my four-year-old brother, get us both dressed, make us breakfast, pack a lunch for school and wait for the school bus). Donno what happened. I am not that independent now. I drag my husband everywhere.

7. I had a nice childhood but I was lonely and rather sad and serious. I get younger, lighter, and happier as I age.

8. I love TED talks.

9. I have moved to both Sweden and Spain for love. Hej, hej! Tjena! Hola que tal?!

10. Then there was the time I took a job as a traveling nanny in Madrid. I found it by googling “how to learn Spanish and live abroad without any money.” They needed someone who spoke English with some Swedish & Spanish. Life is random. You never know when your random interests/talents will be needed.

11. I love spicy. When we go to Europe for longer than two weeks I bring my own hot sauce.

12. I’ve NEVER dated an American guy. How is that even possible ?? Born and raised in the US and I like American men just fine. (shrug) Guess they were never quick enough? ;)

13. I get along with about anyone, open and genuine. I especially love people who are passionate. Doesn’t even matter what you’re passionate about. I feed off of passion.

14. I don’t like talking on the phone. Email me or let’s meet in person.

15. I’m missing a huge chunk of American pop culture. My parents were STRICT. Most of the films I saw were in black and white. I had crushes on Errol Flynn and Carey Grant. I didn’t know who Madonna, Michael Jackson, Brad Pitt or Julia Roberts were until I was 13. For real.

16. I don’t second guess myself too often in romance or motherhood. Not that it’s EASY (no way), but I have good instincts for both. Sadly, I am incredibly & cripplingly hard on MYSELF, second guess almost everything I do, and am rarely happy with my work. Not humble, it’s really a very gross character flaw and I’m working on it.

17. I have some serious anxiety issues. I have worked on this part of myself for about 17 years and although it’s prevented me from finishing many many things, it’s become a blessing because I am constantly searching, dreaming, trying, and hoping. I also appreciate how “normal” I am right now (comparitively).

18. When I was 17, I got into concert photography. I dared myself to do something scary. I’d write scrips and then SHAKING in the boots, I’d read my scripts to publicists and somehow I ended up on lists for press passes (literally there were times when it was just the newpaper photogs, the Rolling Stone photog, and ME in the photo pit). Still baffles me a little. It taught me that it’s important to be UNCOMFORTABLE. Also to ask.

19. Being on Instagram and blogging are one of those uncomfortable dares. I’m naturally very private. I am so private and timid sometimes in my life that I NEED to put myself out there. So here I am. HELLO.

20. I still don’t know what I’m going to be “when I grow up.” But I’m getting there.

. . . . .

THANK YOU FRIENDS, for supporting me and being so sweet – through the good times, through the fun times, through the low times, and through the awkward times. As ALWAYS feel free to share some of YOUR random facts in the comments. I like me a good random fact!

23 Thoughts on “a few pieces of the puzzle: 20 of ‘em”

LOVE your new hair! :D It’s totally funky in the best way! I think time zones often prevent me from seeing your Instagram posts roll by in my feed, but I really enjoy keeping up with you there too! So much fun to follow, and Mateo’s gotta be one of the cutest tots on the ‘gram! Hope you all are staying warm over there! ;)

a w e s o m e. Ha, I love that we connect on Carey Grant. True about the time zones. So fun though, when you do jump up in my feed I always feel like I’m traveling! Scotland has definitely zoomed up my travel wish list!!!

Oh, I donno if I’m any harder on myself as a mom. I might be even less, ha. But yes, I think also creative people tend you be hard on themselves, moms tend to be hard on themselves, humans maybe, ha….it’s always so interesting realizing OH, it’s not just ME. :) huh!

I wiiish, I loved driving and parking…but I’m totally with you. I sometimes imagine myself as a truck driver getting stuck in some tough to maneuver situation and “abandoning ship.” :| So I’m not a truck driver, ha.

Penelope! I can’t tell you have sweet that is and how lovely that made me feel. Boo for tough days. Thank you so much for stopping by and you know, I REALLY need to get back on the blogging train. I’m not around here often enough anymore. And you might have a bad day in the meantime!! :)

Oh hey, it’s your pal from instagram @angie_mahlke. So glad I found you here on this blog. It’s like a longer non-condensed version of your beloved IG posts. I must say I love your writing style, especially because it just oozes you. Your point of view and personality comes across so clearly and genuinely. I’m excited to root myself into this non-private part of your life.

Angie!!! How fun to see you on the BLOG! Yes, it’s a whole other world we have over there on instagram. It’s more of the same over here….but many more words. :) And the photos aren’t so square. Except for this post. ;) Hope you’ll come back again. And of course I’ll be seeing you on the ‘gram.

Hi Henna. I just found your blog (I am a brand new blogger myself) and like how you express yourself. I very much relate to #17 (anxiety). I love your spin on it and the reminder that it can be a blessing. I’m going to focus on that! Anyway, thank you!

Hi Henna! I dont know how I missed this ….i guess i have been busy and not checked in with you for a long time. how did 6 months go by so quickly?? oh yes, I have small kids too:) i dont know if you remember me, but I also have a Mateo. going to look for you on insta right now!!
my handle is zafiro_jewelry….so look for me:)
cindyhttp://www.vivacindy.com

I love your factoids!!
I also haven’t decided what I want to be when i grow up too lol. I also married my husband at city hall, both of us in jeans and I hate talking on the phone. You have such a great blog and I have subscribed =).
here’s mine if you ever want to take a look: thoughtsbycele.com